BILLINGS, Mont. – After laying the foundation during his first season at Montana State University Billings, head coach Scott Keister enters year two with a new look. The Yellowjackets return a veteran core while welcoming nine newcomers—including four collegiate transfers and five accomplished freshmen—as they prepare to open the 2026 campaign.
 
MSUB opens the season Aug. 27-29 at the University of Mary Invitational in Bismarck, ND before traveling to Kingsville, Texas for the Javelina Volleyball Classic the following weekend. The Yellowjackets begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with a challenging Alaska road trip before making their home debut Sept. 17 against Saint Martin's. The annual Rimrock Rivalry also returns with matches on Sept. 22 at Rocky Mountain College and Oct. 21 in Alterowitz.
 
"We are excited to get this season rolling and to see what challenges we can start tackling," Keister said. "We added nine new faces to our program, and we are excited to see what they can do alongside our returners. They come to us with many different backgrounds and abilities, a great work ethic, and a desire to improve daily while focusing on representing MSUB at the highest standard."
 
 
RETURNING TALENT
Although the Yellowjackets feature several new faces, they return a strong nucleus of players with valuable collegiate experience led by sophomore outside hitter Allie Dorman who was named Honorable Mention All-GNAC as a freshman. Alongside Dorman will be senior outside hitter Jordin Taulua, senior libero/defensive specialist Avarey Stuff, junior outside hitter Izzy Ping, sophomore libero/defensive specialist Avarie Gutierrez, and sophomore libero/defensive specialist Adrienne Magdaleno.
 
Dorman emerged as one of the team's top offensive weapons during her freshman campaign, leading the Yellowjackets with 176 kills and 22 service aces while finishing second on the team with 143 digs. Her all-around game gives MSUB another proven option on the outside heading into 2026.
 
Taulua remains one of the top returning attackers in the GNAC after leading MSUB with 116 kills in 2025 despite appearing in just 15 matches. The senior averaged 2.32 kills per set while adding 73 digs and 22 total blocks, providing leadership and versatility on both sides of the net.
 
Stuff anchors the back row after recording a team-high 276 digs and 20 service aces last season. Alongside Gutierrez and Magdaleno, the Yellowjackets return a defensive unit with a full season of collegiate experience under its belt.
Ping also returns after appearing in 21 matches during her first season with the program. Together, the returning group provides stability for a roster that welcomes significant new talent.
 
 
IMPACT NEWCOMERS
Keister's 2026 recruiting class is one of the largest in recent program history, adding talent across every position.
The headline additions come at setter, where freshman Aaliyah Gaylord and junior transfer Avery Starr immediately strengthen the offense. Gaylord finished her prep career as one of Montana's most accomplished setters, surpassing 4,000 career assists while earning multiple All-State honors. Starr arrives after two standout seasons at Centralia College, where she totaled more than 2,200 career assists and was named the 2025 NWAC West Region Most Valuable Player.
 
The Yellowjackets also added significant size in the middle with junior transfer Laina Whitney, Minnesota standout Addyson Quandt, Wyoming product Karsyn France, and Billings native Mikayla Champlin. Whitney earned Freshman of the Year honors at Central Wyoming College and totaled 357 career kills and 169 blocks, while Quandt helped Lakeville South capture back-to-back Minnesota Class AAA state championships. France finished her prep career as Rawlins High School's leading blocker, and Champlin earned All-State honors while starring in both volleyball and track and field at Billings Senior High School.
 
On the pins, MSUB welcomes junior transfer Emma Fairbairn, who appeared in 35 matches over two seasons at Biola University, along with Montana product Grace Lingle, a First Team All-State selection and Class AA state champion from Glacier High School. Sophomore transfer Ruby Grisdale also adds collegiate experience after spending last season at Minot State.
 
The recruiting class features student-athletes from Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Oregon, Utah, California, and Saskatchewan, giving the Yellowjackets a balanced blend of regional talent and collegiate experience. Four of the newcomers hail from Montana, continuing the program's emphasis on keeping top in-state talent close to home.
 
 
YEAR TWO UNDER KEISTER
After using his first season to establish the program's identity, Keister enters 2026 with a roster built around competition, depth, and versatility. The Yellowjackets return experienced leaders while adding proven transfers and accomplished freshmen capable of making immediate contributions.
 
The additions at setter should provide greater offensive balance, while increased depth in the middle and on the outside gives MSUB more lineup flexibility than it possessed a year ago. Combined with another year of development from the returning core, the Yellowjackets enter the fall looking to continue building toward sustained success in one of NCAA Division II's toughest volleyball conferences.
 
"We have asked our team to embrace the process and know that we wont be our best overnight," said coach Keister. "We have asked them to rather embrace the grind of daily improvement to truly reach our potential."
 
 
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Yellowjackets open the season Aug. 27-29 at the University of Mary Invitational in Bismarck, ND, facing the host Marauders, Black Hills State, Western New Mexico, and Bemidji State before heading to Texas for the Javelina Volleyball Classic.
• GNAC play begins September 10^th and 12^th with a road match against Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage. The home conference opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Saint Martin's inside Alterowitz Gym.
• The Rimrock Rivalry returns with two meetings against Rocky Mountain College—Sept. 22 at the Fortin Center and Oct. 21 in Billings. The regular season concludes Nov. 14 on Senior Day against Alaska Fairbanks before the NCAA Division II West Regional begins Nov. 19.

 
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